BirdLife camera records violent attack

Heidi Cao

Apr 23rd 2010, 12:20

It think hunting is wrong. We should have a vote. If most of the people want hunting I just have to live with it. But what the hunters are doing it is really wrong. It’s not even hunting season. Why do some people do this, it’s against the law. People should just follow the law. Hunters have to stop. The newspaper is constantly writing about hunters beating up photographers from birdlife or writing about something else they did. Why don’t we just stop it and have a calm vote. If the hunters win, we have to live with it. If we win, the hunters will have to live with it. I hear gun shots more than once a month. People are complaining, the hunters have had their time. Now they have to stop.

Sarah.M.Hollingsworth

Apr 23rd 2010, 12:12

It’s clear that there is a problem here.
The farmers and the bird savers don’t agree with each other. The birds come here. They get shot. It’s sad! The bird savers think like this. They want to stop it. The Farmers like hunting, they like shooting birds.
The bird savers decide to stop this. They go to where farmers’ are and investigate. They try to prove that these farmers are hunting illegally. The farmers are where they normally are on an ordinary day. Along come the bird savers. As to be expected there is a fight.
I agree with James Mistruzzi we should let the people in Malta vote. Fair to Fair! No need for a fight or aggression. No need for cameras!
If the farmers win they win. If the bird savers win they win.
Until the voting I think the farmers and the bird savers should stay away from each other.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 23rd 2010, 09:25

Michael Vella, your comments are so reasonable!! that you would punish the irresponsible driver, the rapist, the criminal, etc. BUT you punish the hunterS (INCLUDING THE LAW-ABIDING ONES) and not the poacher!!! Hallina Sur Vella!!!!

FACTUAL ARGUMENTS, please, Sir!!!!!!!

Maria Grima

Apr 22nd 2010, 23:58

Violence also reigns everywere in the world.Let's not try and exaggerate this incident too much, as these foreigners might be using this incident to tarnish Malta's reputation,which after all the whole country would be harmed.Violent incidents with even worse then this, happen so often in paceville with a difference that they are not brought in the media.Tough i fully agree that violence should never be ...

Christopher Debattista

Apr 22nd 2010, 20:56

@Jurgen Bugeja : Nahseb ahjar taqra int sew !!! AQRA L-ARTIKLU SEW JGHID : Mr Debono said there were no signs that his friend and himself were on private land ! Ma dahlu f'dar ta hadd u dak l-attak irrid jigi ikkundannat .

shaun camilleri

Apr 22nd 2010, 19:30

They have shown their true colours once again. Will the authorities do anything against these thugs? We will wait and see. Good on you birdlife you are doing a Great job. THANK YOU

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 22nd 2010, 18:22

David Buttigieg, Mark Galea and Antoine Grech, wishful thinking; keep on dreaming about your fantasy ban on hunting. What do you have to say about the many law-abiding hunters?

N Abela, so we should judge a person by his spelling, eh? What shall we call a person who writes "grammAr" as "grammEr"?!! What would be that person's educational background?!!

Michael Vella, we have criminals, irresponsible drivers, rapists, tax-evaders and others committing illegal activities. Will it be ok if I say that you are also such a person?! "I would ban hunting outright the minute a protected bird is shot at". Would you also outrightly:
- ban cars the moment an irresponsible drivers kills somebody;
- cut all ........... once a rape is committed;
- ban cooking once a kitchen knife is used to kill somebody;
- close Banks once a hold-up is carried on;
etc., etc.
The above shows the lack of factual arguments coming from the antis!!

Mark Grech

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:35

I'm not defending the hunters' attacks in anyway, but I'd just like to point out that after years of Birdlife hunting them down, banning their hobbies and doing their utmost to stop them doing what they had been doing their whole entire lives(to the point that they brought in foreigners just to watch them), I am not surprised nor even offended by the hunters reactions. I have no doubt that the Birdlife people had been following them and annoying them all day and they just lost control.
Once again, I am not saying what they did is right. I'm just pointing out some background that many will probably overlook. Remember, these are the Maltese men who work throughout the year to bring fruit and vegetables to our tables, and all they ask in return is to continue enjoying a hobby they've enjoyed their whole lives, up until a few years ago.

James Mizzi

Apr 22nd 2010, 16:11

I could hear Ilegal hunting is heard coming from San Anard (limits of Zabbar/Xghajra) early morning. This is a usual occurence.

James Mistruzzi

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:51

It wasn't the case in the past, but today our islands are too crowded for hunting to exist here as a "passtime / hobby." It really does infringe on the rights of what I believe to be the majority of the population whom would most likely vote for a more quiet and peaceful countryside. It's time to settle this once and for all with a fair and properly conducted survey or referendum. Although I will vote to ban hunting, I will accept it's existence here in Malta if the the majority so desire. If, however, the majority vote to ban hunting, I would hope that the hunters would accept the same. That's what true democracy is all about.

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:23

@Kenneth Cassar
You cannot take a picture or video of someone without permission thats the law.

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:18

@Christopher Debattista
Siehbi dawk kienu bdiewa u mhux kaccaturi wahda,t-tieni kieku int tidhol d-dar u ssib lil xi hadd gewwa x'taghmel tghidlu thank you.Biex niggudikaw l-ewwel niehdu hu hafna tizjin ta'kliem u agressjoni,habs u kummidji.Int x'kont taghmel kieku ssib lil xi hadd bil-camera go hwejgek? Ahseb naqra qabel tikteb.

Tonio Gatt

Apr 22nd 2010, 15:02

Terrorism = terrorising the state or individuals with an intended aim!! Let us NAME and SHAME these TERRORISTS before they turn out into an armed militia!!! If you think you can turn against your own country by bringing in lawlesness and destruction you have something else coming to you. There are "bullies" on both sides of the law!

Andrew Zammit

Apr 22nd 2010, 12:25

The Government needs to take action! If I were in charge I would ban hunting for the time being, arrest anyone who is found hunting illegally and give fines galore! These people need to be sent a message!, they cannot go around doing whatever they want!!!

Christopher Debattista

Apr 22nd 2010, 10:24

Ma nistax nemmen kif xorta ghaw min qedt jiddefendi lill dawn l-aggressuri kif qedt naqra sew mill-kummenti ghaw taht ! Certu kummenti jiddisgustawni ! Atti vjolenti bhal dawn haqqhom il-habs !

Kieku ma kienux qedt jaghmlu atti illegali ma kienux jirreagixxu hekk il-kaccjaturi ! Apparti l-kliem oxxen u tgheddid kontinwu min-naha taghhom ! HAQQHOM IL-HABS U IL-LICENZJA TIGI IRREVOKATA ( DEJJEM JEKK GHANDHOM WAHDA TAL-HARIFA )

U barra minn hekk: Nista nkun naf x'gost fih toqtol annimal innocenti !?

mark coppini

Apr 22nd 2010, 09:42

Well Done FKNK!
It seems that your much publicised campaign of educating your members is having its desired effect!!!

Michael Vella

Apr 22nd 2010, 09:12

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

You seem to be obsessed with the phrase 'factual argument'. You write it in most of your replies in a way that would make one think that the only person speaking any sense in here is yourself. If you don't mind, i will reply to your 'factual argument' regarding the poor law abiding hunters stranded at home. Protected birds have been killed far too regularly, birdwatchers cars have been shot at and birdwatchers are getting beaten up by a bunch of thugs. The FKNK and yourself do nothing but come up with ridiculous apologetic excuses for this behaviour and place the blame squarely on everyone else but the actual people breaking the law. This in turn gives these thugs reason to believe that they are doing nothing wrong and these actions persist year after year after year. As a result, ALL hunters are suffering the consequences and have had the privilege of hunting taken away from them. I agree this government is weak. I would ban hunting outright the minute a protected bird is shot at, that way law abiding hunters will learn to respect nature and only kill birds they are actually going to eat.

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 22nd 2010, 08:42

@MrCutajar
Keep dreaming,hunting will be there for ever i'm really sorry for you but were too strong my friend!!!We still have to see PL in government to know,the only thing I know is that PN took us a big ride u Gonzi ghandu d-dejn maghna,thats why now we vote PL!
@Nadine Cini
Uzgur li qatt ma ltqajt ma konservazzjonist ghax lanqas kont taf xi tfisser!! L-akbar konservazzjonist huwa l-kaccatur u n-nassab ghax hadd ma jiehu hsieb l-ambjent daqshom.Minn tahseb li jhammeg il-kampanja l-poplu ngenerali jew il-kaccaturi? R-Risposta hija evidenti.

Joe Fenech

Apr 21st 2010, 23:31

Is this what the Ta Qali Growers Association is calling a letture field????? If they can't even recognise weeds from lettuce, that's really bad. And what about the pick up truck driving into the field????

J. Borg

Apr 21st 2010, 22:46

A manifestation of the finest so-called "socio-cultural" qualities......

and Malta Tourism Authority spends taxpayers funds to attract tourists

our main source of foreign income flushed away because spineless politicians are incapable of dealing with this arrogance and prepotence once and for all.

A Psaila

Apr 21st 2010, 22:36

To all. Please get the issue of tresspassing away from this argument.

What does a hunter do when a hit bird and it falls into third party property. He leaves it there?
No! He will dedinitely trespass! This is not a one off case.

D.Dimech

Apr 21st 2010, 22:22

BAN Hunting. Forever.

eric mamo

Apr 21st 2010, 22:20

Criminalise a national passtime and you make a nation of criminals.

N Abela

Apr 21st 2010, 22:10

from the grammer on the walls u can clearly see the hunter's educational background!!! wow ehhh!! stop all kind of hunting its shameful!!!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 21st 2010, 19:38

F Theuma, Wilfred Camilleri, Carmelo Aquilina and P Cuschieri, did you understand my comment?! I condemned ALL illegalities and nowhere did I defend violence. How can we considered your arguments as serious?! P Cuschieri, read my comment again and maybe you will finally understand why I held the Prime Minister responsible!! Why, may I ask, you failed to comment about my factual argument regarding the law-abiding hunters? Why? Why?!!

Antoine Grech, you will be acting ILLEGALLY, whereas hunting is a LEGAL pastime!

J. Vella

Apr 21st 2010, 18:54

I don’t know why there is such a fuss about these provocative accidents here in Malta. These things happen on daily basis through the whole civilized world. One example is Greenpeace activists first they provoke than they film everything.
By the way, does Birdlife Malta and Greenpeace have any connection???

Joe Xuereb

Apr 21st 2010, 17:31

This is Malta? Two days after a trouble-free papal visit? In a EU country? In 2010? The good thing is - the namra (passion) has now been shown for what it really is. Can somebody enlighten me? What does Germany and the Swastika have to do with this?
By handing in the camera at the police station, and thereby identifying themselves, they are in fact saying, 'what we did was justified. See, we are decent. We are not thieves'. This total lack of remorse (in courtly terms) shows how little regard they have for the birds they massacre. These transparent giveaways are a sure indication of a lack of basic intelligence.

Reuben Gauci

Apr 21st 2010, 17:04

This video is reminding me of a film called Blair Witch Project.... Anybody seen it ? :)

Clayton Stellini

Apr 21st 2010, 16:03

Bird life people thinks that they are invincible and can enter everywhere without being stopped.

C Mallia

Apr 21st 2010, 15:38

Its amazing how silent FKNK and the other hunting federations can be, in the face of this hard evidence of rampant illegalities and violence, when just a few hours before they were on the steps of Castille, threatening the PM and giving ultimatums. Not a whisper of official condemnation for this violence.

T Cilia

Apr 21st 2010, 14:47

SHAME SHAME SHAME... the only words that come to mind! And shame on the persons trying to justify such behaviour! Are we trying to prove to the whole world that we are downright savages? That we leave alot to be desired with regard to education is very evident from the writing in the video and elsewhere! And trust the anti PNs to have a field day by putting the blame on the government. What a sorry nation we are!!!

Samwel Bezzina

Apr 21st 2010, 14:20

"Noqtlok, noqtlok" is a pretty serious threat, whatever the provocation.

marco meli

Apr 21st 2010, 13:58

I question again : do these cabs have a police LICENCE to act so??? security guards are subject to training once a year against payment for their licence to be renewed. Police please NOTE !!!!!!! this is ILLEGAL!!!!!!

Maria Grima

Apr 21st 2010, 13:32

While condemning any type of violence,provocation and tres-passing should also be condemned!Trespassing in other countries such as England and Germany,is taken seriously and if caught you could also end up with a six month jail term.The government should also interphere in this matter,and does not let foreign people tarnish Malta's reputation! I wonder if anyone of you tought of starting a campaign ,and going filming any illegalities in any other country!Just try and imagine what would you expect...

D. Psaila

Apr 21st 2010, 13:17

Easy - send a copy of this violent footage to the European Union, and I also would send it to other news stations, like BBC, someone might take an interest in these stories and make headline news, showing how ignorant and selfish "most" maltese hunters are!!

Suggestion - Birdlife, do an online Petition on facebook!!! I am sure you will get a lot of fans and signatures, and keep a good up to date registry. Also do a separate signature collection at Valletta Gate where people who don`t access to computers, ..and for those who would like to sign anonymously for fears of attacks from certain hunters, can sign too. Keep their names safely in a "secret book" and this would only be shown to the foreigner European committee when and only if they want to make sure these "anons" are legit...... not to Maltese authorities! I do not trust Maltese people!

Also illegal hunters overseas are thrown in jail and made to pay a hefty amount of money and their guns confiscated, their names released to the public. Why don`t we do the same in Malta.

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 21st 2010, 13:12

@Mr Schembri
you hava an alarm so you wake up!! this week the opposition said that it will give a 3 week spring hunting as Ornis commite suggested and the PL what it says it do not like what PN did!! I know its not easy for you to accept it but thats the truth my friend ghax dik serjeta.Mela why Dr.Gonzi did the Ornis commitee to waste time?What you're saying about EU? int bis-serjeta?EU said that Spring hunting is Legal!! Tal-konsensus tad-dahq kienet int tahseb li l-PL ha jghamel xi konsensus mal-giddibin? Forget it while as I told you PL already took its position.

@Nadine Cini
You know what konservazzjonisti means?
Konservazzjonist huwa dak li jkabbar is-sigar,jtella' hitan,inaddaf wara dawk in-nies li jhallu mizbla wara xi picnic,nigbru xi washing machine jew xi cooker milli jitfghu dawk n-nies,ntellaw il-gebel li jwaqqghu n-nies biex jigbru l-bebbux etc..
mela min hu l-konservazzjonist?,ejja fejn inkun jien u ara b'ghajnejk.Kieku mhux ghall-kaccaturi l-kampanja mizbla.Hallina hanini!

Nadine Cini

Apr 21st 2010, 12:20

@ Dion Borg

So well said. It's a funny title in istelf. FKNK - Federazzjoni Kaċċaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti - what are you on about really?!?

E.Schembri

Apr 21st 2010, 12:06

@Jurgen Bugeja

I admire your positive attitude and false hope.

Yes its true, you hunters have a habit of holding the government and Maltese people at ransom due to your voting power, but thank God, it will soon no longer be up to the government to decide and this will be imposed by the EU.
Can't you see it coming, every year it just gets harder and harder. Eventually the year will come when the hunting season remains closed, and that will be the beginning of the end.

What will you do, take to the streets and burn down the prime ministers office, shoot at families picnicking in the country side or send a bomb to the EU parliament???

The truth is that there is consensus, hence the opposition is so quite, it is leaving the government do all the dirty work so when it is elected it will simply tell you, my hands are tied, we have to go by the rules!

Time will tell.

Joe Borg

Apr 21st 2010, 11:42

What a surprise...they can't spell. Hah.

Antoine Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 11:42

This hunting should stop. The hunting lobby's excuse saying that hunting/trapping is a hobby is all bull. With the same argument, I could go buy a shotgun right now, head off to the village center and start shooting down people. If they come to arrest me I'd say: 'Hey! It's just a hobby, all right!'

I understand that this whole problem started with Gonzi and his mentor( EFA) who tried (and managed very well apparently) to garner the hunting vote. So the PN should be held responsible for all the lies they said before the referendum and before every single election! On a completely different subject: I want less income tax by the freakin' way, as was promised and how it was promised (25% maximum anyone)!!!

Jeffrey Bonnici

Apr 21st 2010, 11:39

What if the alleged attacks took place in private property. Would then Birdlife take action on its members...or would they still be pictured as martyrs of nature

Anthony Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 11:38

And another thing. To all of youwho start out your posts with.. Although violence is never the answer, but....

Once you say but, youmight a well just forget it. Stop trying to find a reason for such stupidity, stop trying to justify our violent citizens. The sentence must read, This type of violence is never the answer AND must be condemed. PERIOD

C. Camilleri

Apr 21st 2010, 11:33

To you all:

THEY WERE FARMERS NOT HUNTERS! Birdlife ppl were trespassing and destroying their crops! the truth is out finally. Shame on birdlife. Read this link please:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100421/local/farmers-complain-of-trespassing-provocation-by-birdwatchers

Anthony Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 11:31

First of all on behalf of all Mlatese citizens I am very sorry for what happened to these poor chaps. I won't say I am surprised, but I am very sorry. If one looks at the way that violent criminals are treated in our justice system, with slap on the wrist and maybe in very unusual cases a suspended sentence,then there is no surprise that violent people do as they wish. Although I don't know the ,em who attacked these poor people, I do know their type. These people laugh when confronted by the courts, I have actually seen thugs laughing and joking in court, in front of the judges, only to be given the same old suspended sentence and the like. Until Malta gets tough with these thugs then do not expect and thing different in the future. Lets be bold, and take these criminals, who have been given ample warnings and let them do some hard time. No more should Maltese people be bullied by these criminals.!

L.M.Vella

Apr 21st 2010, 10:32

Leave the innocent birds alone! All hunting is wrong - Malta & abroad. I admire the guts Birdlife has - to "fight" for the rights with armed men! BAN HUNTING NOW!

A.Zahra

Apr 21st 2010, 10:20

X'misthija u tal biki dan il filmat , u dawn in-nies iridu ikollhom arma tan-nar f'idejhom !!!!

Allura jekk inkum hemm jien mal- familja niehu ir-ritratti tat- tfal tieghi, kief hafna drabi naghmlu meta immorru picnic ,ghandna ghalfejn nibzaw ? ghax dawn in-nies jahsbu li qedin ghassa taghhom !!!! (u hekk ghandu ikun , min la ma humiex nies u jobdu il-ligi )

Nerga nghid tal-misthija !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Timothy Cachia

Apr 21st 2010, 09:43

And they say Gonzi is being hard headed? My god... after seeing this I would take their gun and lock up these people!!!

Anthony Zammit

Apr 21st 2010, 08:51

@ Kaccaturi

Dejjem thassarthom u zammejt maghhom imma fuq li rajt hawn haqqhom aghar minn hekk. Prosit lill-gvern talli qieghed izomm sod fil-konfront ta dawn il-kriminali.....iva kriminali ghax biex tghedded b'dal-mod kriminali trid tkun!!!

raymond spiteri

Apr 21st 2010, 08:43

@ Bird Life
I feel that Bird Life is playing the victim and provocation is what this association is generating. shame on its members who are risking so much to have their name on the news. i hate violence, but if anyone try to entry my property with a camera on stand by mode to fillm a provocation i dont know how i would have reacted.. big shame on you bird life. i used to have great admiration but now lost it all. stop playing dirty games and shaming hunters. they have a hobby, they were promised so much by Gonzipn. go and protest with the government for such promises. shame, shame shame. r. spiteri

Philip Grech

Apr 21st 2010, 08:39

So now a person defending his private property is now a hunter. Try entering my house and I will greet you with flowers and refreshments because I am not a hunter.

James Aquilina

Apr 21st 2010, 08:32

Come one!!!!!!.

Looks like birdlife members (and other s who want to have a stroll in our limited countryside) need to arm themselves for their saftey, and to teach these people a lesson!!!!!!!!!!.

A couple of friends of mine and myself were once attacked by a hunter a few years ago while mountain biking off mistra, The hunter regretted it though!!!!!

Kenneth Cassar

Apr 21st 2010, 07:22

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin:

Have you got any evidence that they were on private property? You just assume that the victims of the violent assault acted illegally. It also amazes me how you could ever defend violent thugs such as these.

As for the supposedly "unfounded allegations", the video is evidence in itself.

R.Hunt

Apr 21st 2010, 05:43

BUNDY CONFIRMED. Veru pajjiz tal micky mouse! Why haven't any of these cowboys been arraigned in court? But, even then, Justice? What justice?

tony scerri

Apr 21st 2010, 01:32

The goverment should confiscate all hunting weaponry and stop the importation of shells and gunpowder. It is high time to stop this nonsense.

Karl Consiglio

Apr 21st 2010, 00:53

They got no respect for birds, nature, people, our rights, our countryside, the law or you Mr Prime Minister, enough is enough.

Karl Consiglio

Apr 21st 2010, 00:40

The only difference between these guys and those protesting in front of Castille is that these guys were playing home, and by that I mean our countryside, or oh well the bit of it we got left. May the EU law fall upon them prim and proper, the lot of them.

Joseph Galea

Apr 21st 2010, 00:25

@Anthony Formosa - very true. However, if the majority of hunters cause problems, then the only solution is to stop hunting from everyone. I know its not fair, but its the only way.

Frankly, I have to meet a hunter that does not shoot on everything that moves!

In the last election, half the people voted LP, was it fair on them? no, but they had no choice. Why should hunters have a choice then?....

Its a shame that so much trouble is being caused for just a minority of people, lets stop wasting time and whoever is in charge stop playing around!

gaffarena joseph

Apr 21st 2010, 00:08

Why should these people be allowed to have shotguns.
My daughter years ago, used to go jogging, and leave her car near these people that think that
even the streets close to their fields are private to them.
When they saw that the next day she went again there, she found her new car covered with all kind of rubbish ,and even some urinated on the windscreen as well.
When they saw her crying, they began to laugh.

cmuscat

Apr 21st 2010, 00:03

If the government really wants to control the hunters and bring them to justice for breaking the law, it can do so by using the helicopters to patrol hunting areas from overhead. FILM THE CULPRITS AND ENSURE THAT THE LAW IS RESPECTED BY ALL!! Dear spineless politicians, you will gain nothing by sitting on the fence; you're fast losing votes from both sides because you look so inadequate trying to appease everyone by your inaction or half-measures.

Stephen Baldacchino

Apr 20th 2010, 23:50

to all of you:

This is what happens when you provoke other people. This is not the thing that should happen. just imagine if us Maltese go to Germany and stay filming and hunt down other people in there own land. the government shouldn't give any wrights to these people and birdlife should start taking responsibility for all these things that are happening. Shame that a Maltese brings foreigners to hunt down other Maltese fellow citizens.

Sergio Caruana

Apr 20th 2010, 23:40

That's what you get when people are deceived by Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, Dr Simon Busuttil and the rest of those who had a finger in the pie and the EU Commissioner Verheugen. If these foreigners do not stop interfering in Malta's affairs things will only escalate and I fear may come to the worst imaginable. Then perhaps the authorities will stop them from coming and interfering with Maltese customs. How would anyone who had been deceived react to the constant interference on their own land especially by foreigners?

Maria Grima

Apr 20th 2010, 23:32

First i start to condemn any type of violence.It seems clear now ,that birdlife are doing there utmost to play as victims .This tense situation could have been avoided ,only if the government opened a decent hunting season,as after all was clerly promised several times before the EU referendum and the latest elections.Irrelevant if you like hunting or not ,the reality is that maltese hunters are not treated fair as normal citizens,and unfortunatley some of them can't handle the situation!Provocation should never be ignored,but should also be condemned,too...

Dr Michael A. Riccioli

Apr 20th 2010, 22:47

Utterly disgusting!

Joe Azzopardi

Apr 20th 2010, 22:30

Shame on you. Justice now!!!!!!!!!

Pule' Carmel

Apr 20th 2010, 22:30

There is safety in more numbers. To go in such small numbers is dangerous.

Mario Desira

Apr 20th 2010, 22:16

Confirms some hunters are amongst one of the worst elements in Malta.
This morning around Zurrieq /Blue Grotto regular shooting could be heard despite the supposedly closed season! The intention of a minority of hunters will always be to disregard the law, and the only way out is to ban spring hunting completely! Any exceptions will simply become loopholes.

Johnny Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 22:08

@ J Borg,

And to think that some people are allowed to vote for Pinocchios that threaten democratic prinicples by tricking people and deceiving the electorate.

Very democratic, help me into the EU then I will use your help to damage your lifestyle.

The government is morally guilty for such acts, for if hunters had not been deceived this would never result. In fact Never before such deceit were such incedents recorded.

Misek tisthi Pinocchio.

Shame on Gonzi for inciting such hatred through electoral deceit.

Shame on the antis for not accepting a democratic guarantee and inciting the government to break a democratic obligation.

Shame on who expects to enter private land as though it was his.

Shame on who finds joy in the electoral deceit that ruined the hunters lives.

I for sure will never again vote in the national interest.

In the meantime:

All the tourists and businessman planning a holiday or business activity in Malta, please be aware that the Maltese have a habit of deceiving people:
http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/AGGSE13e_Hunting.pdf
Now if they are happy to do run false electroal campagnes, and if they are happy to instigate hate against fellow citizens, how will you as foriengers be treated?

C Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 22:08

@Edward Sant

Il-kumment tieghek ikompli jsahhah l-argument tieghi dwar il-mibgheda nfondata tieghek u ta' min jahsiba bl-istess mod tieghek!

W. Azzopardi

Apr 20th 2010, 22:02

@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin.
Who trespasses onto private property? Surely you know hunters do so.

Raymond Tabone

Apr 20th 2010, 22:00

BirdLife seem to like entering private property especially when the hunting issue is a very hot subject at the moment.
This leads to provocation in my opinion. They said that there were no signs indicating that it was private property....in simple terms they are assuming that they can enter into houses all over Malta too, as no one in Malta puts up a sign on the facade of their house,saying that it is a private property!!!! lol. I am no hunter, but pls Birdlife, stop playing games.

Raymond Tabone
St. Paul's Bay

Johnny Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 21:55

@ Kenneth Cassar,

I see its not private land!!!! So how come there are trees planted and its full of fodder. The government planting fodder in public land to ease the tax burden.

@ Peter Fitzgerald,

Of course protecting private land. Have you seen the mess that some bird watchers leave behind. I have had my rubble hide dismantled twice, not to mention the rubble walls after good 'bebuxata hunt'

Who can guarantee that BLM members do not resort to dirty tricks by hiding a protected bird in a field and then simply report that a hunter placed it there after he shot it.

BLM & the general antis must realise that private land cannot be accessed.
I would rather spend ethernity in prison for stopping an anti from entering my property, instead of living an ethernity with an anti in my private land.

Mr Fitzgerald, would you enjoy it if I entered in your garden for a BBQ or some bird watching (ie of course if you have a garden)

marco meli

Apr 20th 2010, 21:47

can i ask one simple question here? Do these cabs have a police permit to run after and film people sometimes entering PRIVATE land???? is it legal in malta to do so???? i don't think so hux!!!!!!!! so what are the police waitng for???

J. Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 21:24

And to think that some violent sick minds are allowed to own shotguns and roam around and use them in the countryside.....
Any responsible government would eradicate this danger and arrogance and confiscate all firearms...but it seems that the spineless politicians we are currently lumped with are so hopeless!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Apr 20th 2010, 21:02

Action should be taken against ALL THOSE CONTRAVENING THE LAW!!! Both sides acted illegally! BLM and Co are acting provocatively. Unfortunately and due to the tense situation prevailing, these property owners retaliated when defending their private property!

Dr L Gonzi, you should shoulder the responsibility for all this! You have treated the Maltese hunters in a shameful manner thus creating this situation. Furthermore, YOU are responsible for the enforcement of the law! You should ensure that nobody trespasses onto private property!

Meanwhile, the many law-abiding hunters are stuck at home. I strongly believe that The Editor should act responsibly and refrain from uploading unfounded allegations against the many law-abiding hunters!

Jesmond Micallef

Apr 20th 2010, 20:31

This behaviour is indeed a problem, dear hunters. Please stop this, it will only backfire on yourselves. It will make things worse for you, so put yourselves in order and fellow cool headed hunters should support here in order to stop this destructive hotheadedness. I am afraid this might have a very nasty outcome oneday, and you know what I mean..

With regards to the "potential blackmail" to Malta's lifeline, Tourism, well, if that would be the case, then may I suggest further action of higher order, in the EU parliament !!!

Malta does not have the very philosophically diverse weapons industry, it does not build environmentally freindly main battle tanks or submarines, supersonic kerrosene guzzlers and helicopters, warships, nuclear submarines, nuclear missiles and other technological machinery used in order to extinguish human life with the diverse options of either safe guarding the environment, or, complete erasure.

Malta does not have this very multi philosophical diverse and highly profitable business, even in times of financial crises, apparently !!!

So please I urge all EU people continue to come to Malta. You know, we all have our own little internal national problems.

Johnny Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 20:22

It is comfortable being Gonzi in Malta,

The country is too civilized for people to really take things into their own hands and riot for they were promised.

The country is also too uncivilized to really obtain justice through the proper channels and take the matter to court.

Had this electoral deceit happened in America or Nigeria, one way or another it would have long been sorted.

THIS IS SERIOUS AND IF HUNTERS DO NOT GET WHAT THEY WERE TRICKED INTO VOTING FOR, THE MATTER WILL ESCALATE AND THEN ITS TOO LATE TO SAY THIS AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

I will never tolerate violence, but when a person is experiencing such hatred and deceit, and has lost faith in legal institutions, the inevitable is unavoidable. Especially if idiots like BLM are found parading in private property.

So Gonzi sort this mess once and for all and admit you took us for a ride and face legal proceedings or else release the tension and open the season for all the hunters as promised.
At the antis how would you feel if your lifestyle was guaranteed through an election and referendum, then find it shattered after a few months.

Peter fitzgerald

Apr 20th 2010, 20:21

DEFENCE OF PROPERTY?????? How brave, bold and magnificent these so called hunters conservationists are. Gieh ir republica haqqhom

Johnny Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 20:01

At all the antis commenting from their armchair, please note:

1. Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Malta, article 38, sub-article (1) states that: Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his property or the ENTRY BY OTHERS ON HIS PREMISES.

Furthermore: 'Without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any other law with respect to the use of force in such cases as are hereinafter mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this article if he dies as the result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of the case -
(a) for the defence of any person from violence or for the DEFENCE OF PROPERTY;'

Once BLM members entered the private property the owners have every right to defend their property.

Also: Chapter 4 of the constitution of Malta, article 36, sub article 3(a) states that: No law shall provide for the imposition of collective punishments

Even if the owners over reacted, their behaviour cannot justify a collective all hunters are guilty attitude.

Johnny Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 20:01

At all the antis commenting from their armchair, please note:

1. Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Malta, article 38, sub-article (1) states that: Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his property or the ENTRY BY OTHERS ON HIS PREMISES.

Furthermore: 'Without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any other law with respect to the use of force in such cases as are hereinafter mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this article if he dies as the result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of the case -
(a) for the defence of any person from violence or for the DEFENCE OF PROPERTY;'

Once BLM members entered the private property the owners have every right to defend their property.

Also: Chapter 4 of the constitution of Malta, article 36, sub article 3(a) states that: No law shall provide for the imposition of collective punishments

Even if the owners over reacted, their behaviour cannot justify a collective all hunters are guilty attitude.

C Xerri

Apr 20th 2010, 19:53

Li nara tal-misthija hija din l-attitudini kontra min ghandu passatemp u ghax xi nies ma jaqblux ma dan il-passatemp lesti biex jiggudikaw u jiddiskriminaw!! Nixtieq nara lilkom li hawn tigudikaw, kieku x'taghmlu fil-pozizzjoni tal-kaccaturi li dejjem qed isibu lis-socjeta' dejjem lesta biex tikkundanahom. B' liema dritt Birdlife Malta u l-barranin li jkunu maghhom jidhlu fil-propjeta' ta' haddiehor? Kull x'hin jigi nfurmati bis-sewwa ma jaccettawx li jitilqu bl-intenzjoni li jipprovokaw!! Min jaf x'kienet l-intenzjoni ta' dawn in-nies li dahlu fil-propjeta' privata ta' haddiehor! Minn ghand Birdlife Malta nistenna minn kollox!

Adam Calleja

Apr 20th 2010, 19:25

If i heard correctly one of the hunters threatened to kill one of the tourists. Will / Is this hunter arrested and being charged for attempted murder in the same way another Maltese Citizen was charged a few months ago in the GRTU fracas? Just food for thought.

I was disgusted and not at all surprised seeing this clip, as it is what we've come to expect from these thugs bullying bird watchers with cameras...very manly and tough indeed!

Lets see what the government will do about the whole hunting situation, with so many votes at stake I doubt any of the parliamentary leaders have what it takes to make the correct decision.

Must admit though the 'bicis' and 'fak' graffiti had me in fits!!

J Micallef

Apr 20th 2010, 19:24

Not one single shred of evidence... this video could have easily been a lovely piece of acting. Well done birdlife.

Dion Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 19:24

Dr.Gonzi
1) Bury spring hunting at once
2) Implement a national excerise wherein Private Property is verified (and only after such verification) be clearly marked so
3) Start squeezing the PN's (not government's) coffers to meet the EU fines that you are exposing Malta to.
4) PL - do not dismantle any credibility you deem to have garnered by suckling up the FKNK again.
5) BirdLife & CABS - sincere thank-you for all you stand up to.
6) FKNK - social and cultural...yeah sure!!

M Farrugia

Apr 20th 2010, 19:24

Their camara was taken from them. By whom? Was it taken by one of the aggressors ? If yes they must have been some good kind hearted aggressors to give it back to the police in Rabat.
BML is this an other ONLY IN MALTA fabricated story by you ?

Mario Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 19:06

Ejja Dr. Gonzi, ban hunting now! This video shows clearly that they won't take no for an answer anyway and they must be stopped... What difference does it make whether they're shooting clay pigeons or real birds? It's not like they're even taking them for food, or worse yet stuffing them and putting them in a "vetrina".

Andew Pullicino

Apr 20th 2010, 18:55

Steven Spielberg or James Cameron? interesting amateur filming.

R. Gatt

Apr 20th 2010, 18:51

Hunters you want a hobby that will be there for all eternity...go to the shooting range....same friggin thing...you shoot and you hit something .....

Hey and you know what.....if your skilled enough you might find yourself representing Malta in the next Olympics ;)

Let just hope that political parties show some sort of backbone and stop this so called "hobby".....you want to practice your hobby go practice it at the shooting range and you can shoot for as long as you want....less hassle

Alexander Pace Gouder.

Apr 20th 2010, 18:41

First of all I am not a hunter. I am only giving my views because I have been following this situation. From the first time I heard that Birdlife was going to do the usual supervision plus the German Group I was very worried. The situation this year in really bad. Tempers are running high. What i thought is happening. This i am sure is not only my view. Is it only what i am thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or others share my view. I think that Birdlife and these germans etc should as soon as possible stop from this supervision in the country side and mostly in no way enter Hunters properties or reserved grounds as seems to have happened in this video.Tempers now are Boiling from what we have seen in this video. I think these people are in big danger. Even our Hunters are in danger because both may get hurt if not the worst. This years is not a normal senario.

A. Cauchi

Apr 20th 2010, 18:31

Its really shameful, and makes you cry to see these barbarians, taking the law into their own hands and resort to violence. I hope that they are brought to justice , and show the that the law of the jungle does'nt pay. How can you justify this Ghaqda tal Kaccaturi? Shame

Jason Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 18:25

This is the hunters' traditional socio-cultural hobby at its best.

D apap

Apr 20th 2010, 18:24

To all close minded person what if he was with the camera in your backyard what would u do??? Any what if Dr Gonzi cuts a hobby of ur what would u say to that he allready cuts the electricty and u make a huge fuss so please shut up and leave their hobby alone may i point out that im not a hunter and they dont bother me at all it ther hobby and thats it....

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 20th 2010, 18:24

@Mr Schembri
Only in your dreams hunting will be history, I know you don't like to hear it but were too powefull and the government is afraid from us,we play money that the next year will gives us the three weeks Spring Hunting cause general election will be coming the year after!!
@Mr.Wilfred Buttigieg
You know what is SICK my friend?Dr.onzi and Dr.Eddie Fenech Adami sorryEdward! You know the letters we received from them go on youtube and you see them.That is sickness when you lie for votes!But as Maltese say Hadd wara Hadd tasal ta'kulhadd.Maybe there are hunters not educated but not LIERSSSSSSSSS!!!

J.Scicluna

Apr 20th 2010, 18:24

I don't know about the rest of you, but I saw NOTHING that can be used as proof in a Law Court!

Anyone can show scrawled messages (the spelling was soooooo obviously "hunter" sic) in front of a camera.

Anyone can shake a camera a la' Blairwitch Project.

As if the "attackers" would have walked away without ruining the camera or taking the memory card away.

Hogwash....

Ben Cassar

Apr 20th 2010, 18:18

Gonz what is taking you so long to do something about this matter!!

Antoine Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 18:10

There is nothing to show that the attack happened on private land. Considering that the hunters were committing a crime, it is highly unlikely that they confined themselves to their own land (if they have any).

The RIP graffiti are particularly apt since violent incidents like this are guaranteed to kill hunting.

Stephen Pace

Apr 20th 2010, 18:00

This is a settup.. Birdlife malta is just doing everyone's head in now.. im mean seriously guys...... the world is not malta... Birds that pass from africa to Europe pass and fly by and only a small a very small percentage of it stops in malta.. For G.. Sake giev us a break and leave people perform their hobby as it has been done for 1000s of years.. Whats next. no more fishing?? No more killing chickens or cows, Oh yes.. and no more stripping vegtables form mother nature./. What are we going to become like those people who eat JANE Meals.... Come on!!! Seriously!!!

They had a very good director in this movie!!

vince cachia

Apr 20th 2010, 17:56

He who plays with fire eventually gets burned.(Min jilghab man-nar...JINHARAQ) jghidu!!

Stephen Pace

Apr 20th 2010, 17:56

This is a settup.. Birdlife malta is just doing everyone's head in now.. im mean seriously guys...... the world is not malta... Birds that pass from africa to Europe pass and fly by and only a small a very small percentage of it stops in malta.. For G.. Sake giev us a break and leave people perform their hobby as it has been done for 1000s of years.. Whats next. no more fishing?? No more killing chickens or cows, Oh yes.. and no more stripping vegtables form mother nature./. What are we going to become like those people who eat JANE Meals.... Come on!!! Seriously!!!

s sammut

Apr 20th 2010, 17:53

what a shame.. I am asahmed to be maltese and seeing this! these people are worse then animals! benvenuto nella grande isola delle scimmie!!!

Michael Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 17:51

@ Stephen Grech

Instead of condemning these acts of violence, you are trying to come up with some sort of conspiracy theory trying to blame everyone but the actual perpertators. If i support a football team whose supporters act in a violent manner, i would condemn these supporters, to protect the name of the team i support. Same way, if i am a so called law abiding hunter, i would condemn these acts of violence not invent rubbish to excuse it as they are giving the rest of hunter a bad name.

M.Bonnici

Apr 20th 2010, 17:45

The FKNK also wanted to organise a photography competition in association with the Malta Photographic Society to encourage members to take photographs of any wild birds they may encounter
The FKNK also welcomed the BirdLife Malta spring camp scheduled for April to further curb unlawful activities and help respect law-abiding hunters’ and trappers’ rights.
It was also willing to do the same for CABS, who were scheduled to be in Malta in April.
The FKNK said it would embark on a very serious name-and-shame campaign against illegal activities. This would be run on a daily reporting basis in collaboration with the police.
hahahahaha!

Joseph Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 17:45

Any sympathy which the hunting lobby might have had with the Maltese (they were promised a lot of things which simply evaporated in time...) is sure to have been COMPLETELY LOST after this.
May the leaders of the hunters begin acting in the true interests not just of the hunters but also of the wider community. They need to themselves insit with the Police that the abusing hotheads be prosecuted.
Europe is watching: it is about time that the administration act forcefully before things escalate further!

Wilfrid Buttigieg

Apr 20th 2010, 17:42

This is a SICK situation. Most probably one's feels a sense of shame to say that one is also Maltese when witnessing such barbaric people.

This is a dark truth about quite a number of Maltese people, is hard to admit, but it is true.

Many of us meet this type of insanity at various parts of the Island, North and South while driving or just walking around.

EDUCATING such people is such a difficult mission which requires immense political will and social will.

Good luck to Dr.Gonzi, the educated and decent side of the Maltese community is backing you while acting boldly to stop these insane individuals from ruling road and country.

Daniel Zerafa

Apr 20th 2010, 17:41

Ma ghandi ta nteress ta xejn imma setghu hadulhom il memory jew data mill camera looool!!

Paul A. Camilleri

Apr 20th 2010, 17:35

I would like to point out to the people that are attacking all hunters, that what happened here today is soley the build up of frustration, thanks to our Prime Minister. The way I see it is that BLM played another of it's Jokers ( many in a deck of cards ) knowing that if they did trespass onto private land a fist of cuffs will do the trick. Sure enough this orchestrated plan worked ( only for those who are gullible ) In the meantime, I do suggest to all land owners to put up signs indicating PRIVATE PROPERTY were applicable, in order to avoid another reoccurence. The Bahrija and Mtahleb areas are all privately owned and have been so for hundreds of years. People invade these areas every Sunday without fail, thus littering the whole of our countryside with empty bottles, bbq remains and so on. I own approx 8 tumoli of land in Bahrija which is used soley for hunting and also to be enjoyed with my family and friends enjoying sweeping views of Gozo, coupled with Spagetti with Kaccia, downed with a couple of beer bottles.

D Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 17:28

This is disgusting..these people need to be arrested and charged..

Karl Falzon

Apr 20th 2010, 17:28

Well just thinking that these things happen in Malta...? Have a look at these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YccRUc2SDBs

S. Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 17:27

Quoting: "First of all I condemn this violence, but that's what happens when you take one's a right and liberty, because that's how I feel. I rather feel living like a prisoner.

All these harsh reactions are all due to the provocation on hunters by Birdlies Malta & Co. If Birdlies Malta don't change its attitude towards hunters, I'm afraid that more reactions like these are going to occur. " (G. Bonnici)

With arguments like these, you should not be allowed anywhere near a shotgun. No amount of provocation justifies violence. Period.

Johnnie Bowdler

Apr 20th 2010, 17:26

It is no use continuing to deny that successive governments - both PL and PN - have absolutely no interest to effectively control illegal hunting so that the majority on these small islands can have the pleasure of watching birds and sharing the planet with them. The reason is simple: 17,000 hunters* means 17,000 votes up for grabs, and where the difference of 1500 votes can swing an election, you can see where I'm coming from. Bluntly stated, the political parties are big on posturing, but gutless to a man (or woman) in putting their ideology on the line and speaking out. It has been largely left to foreign pressure to arrive where we are now, although ther's still a long way to go to prevent this wonten slaughter of Malta's bird life.
The only way to go is to have a referendum on this issue. That way we'll know whether 17,000 votes in favour of hunting will be enough, or whether the opportunity will be taken by a democratic majority to have their views taken into consideration. Now, Mr Government, over to you.
* I stand to be corrected if this figure is wrong.

E.Schembri

Apr 20th 2010, 17:22

@P Muscat.

Yes, you were fooled, for the greater good! Accept it!

Anyways, anyone who thinks that hunting will still exist in a few years time is living in cuckoo land!!
For years we have killed birds to extinction, sucked the water table dry, pumped tons of toxic gases into the sky, dumped garbage all over the place and over-fished our seas.
It all has to stop within the next decade whether we like it or not, irrelevant what our hobbies or traditions are.
I suggest all hunters change their hobbies and traditions rather than waste time on false promises. Maybe they can start breeding wild birds, become photographers or green wardens....... if they must shoot, they can join a shooting range club.

But hunting birds will very soon be history.

r curmi

Apr 20th 2010, 17:19

Ah the so called honest hunters I dont blame them if they feel a bit faint and try to discredit anything illegal such as this that their fellow friends commit. Its not an isolated incident this attack but the hunters wanna feed us that such attacks never happen, that foresta 2000's trees were uprooted on their own, and that some non hunters to discredit the hunting lobby sprayed red paint on the Imnajdra Temples.

I say WOW so many cionsidences all against teh hunters. Poor hunters always victims. So do you want to feed us the verbal abuse and arrogance of the general hunter?

But yet while the goverment initially didnt do good in his recent law now I see from a different perspective. Hunters were, are and will always remain a very violent, intolerant and uneducated kind of people that unfortunatley plague our islands.

Well done hunters. Tidhlu ghalijhom qiskom kexxun. Ax gibtu daqxejn simpatijja rajtu kif ghamiltu u wadabtuha il bahar inqas min gimgha wara

Paul Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 17:19

I cannot understand why such attacks take place without anyone being brought to justice, and no names are published. If someone breaks in a car in Valletta or elsewhere, there names are splattered all over the papers, so why not these attackers? I have a suggestion for birdlife and anyone who is bullied. Learn how to defend yourself , or apply for a shotgun licence ""to carry"" and carry it with you. We will await eagerly for the outcome of this incident. And by the way, I'm not against hunting for edible game, but I am against these bully freaks.

joe muscat

Apr 20th 2010, 17:16

Birdlife is trying to provoke with all means, if they enter in private property they are risking to be attacked, no one has right to enter in private property without permission....so please Birdlife note ,you are not welcome to enter in my property , and if you do i have right to defend my property.

A Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 17:10

Even if Birdlife maybe provoked these hunters, it is still a fact that the hunters were out hunting illegally (because I can't believe that Birdlife fabricated the dead birds in the video). Obviously, the police are not doing much about it, and never has. So Birdlife feel a need to step in and fill the gap! In fact, if we could trust our authorities to stop illegal hunting, Birdlife would never even have come into existence!

I don't believe all hunters to be violent, criminal, and careless about why such a thing as hunting seasons exist (so the birds have a chance to survive and not be extinct). I think and I hope that the hunters in the video are a minority. So all you other hunters, please stand up and tell your colleagues to stop! They draw shame on you, and they draw shame on Malta!

Steve M. Engerer

Apr 20th 2010, 17:09

I am not a hunting fan as I do not see any pleasure in the killing of birds.
It would be wiser for hunters to go Birdwatching.

However I have come to the belief that Birdlife Malta are absolutely not credible anymore.

On various other occasions they have tried to fool the public opinion & failed.

This video has no proof whatsoever & it easily shows that Birdlife Malta are doing more harm to themselves by providing spoof videos & photos taken by their own members.

My conclusion is that this is another poor attempt from Birdlife Malta to promote their cause.

Hunting happens all over Europe so I cannot see why they are not protesting in other countries like they do in Malta.

There must be some other hidden agenda.

John Debattista

Apr 20th 2010, 17:05

indhiel Barrani u xejn aktar, dak mhux xogholhom imma tal Pulizija Maltija BISS,

Mark Gauci

Apr 20th 2010, 16:58

How funny dear Andrew Gatt.....to think that FKNK have repeatedly said that even BirdLife Malta members could answer their call for marshals !!! Wonder what would have happened if that would have been the case......speaking of which - have the FKNK marshals not heard any of the illegal hunting going on every day ? How many fellow hunters have been reported ? I presume they are too busy naming and shaming those who decided to abide by the law and apply for their spring hunting license.......self regulation my foot !

John Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 16:56

I am against hunting, but these scenes seem what fishy, first off the hunters were wearing very strange colours for hunting (as far as I am concerned they wear camoflauge), second of all the car only suffered damage on the window? if it was a hunting shot gun the shot would have sprayed all over and 100% dented the seats, 3rd and last one is that in dingli they didnt make an attempt to take the camera and destroy the evidence and the voices in it sound...forced? I could be wrong then again.

Andrew Zammit Manduca

Apr 20th 2010, 16:55

I hope the police do not let this go. I hope the people who attacked the BirdLife personnel get a life sentence in prison. ALso it seems like the hunters here in Malta do not know how to be human so the government should revoke all hunting licenses and not give out any anymore. Next time all the hunters should have been human and respected the laws.

Joseph Vassallo

Apr 20th 2010, 16:53

If Malta had such good actors, I would have no problems watching some occasional television; Obviously this is a genuine unprovoked attack. Even if I were to catch someone trespassing, all I would need to do would be to tell them firmly to leave and the only threat I would make would be one of reporting them to the police.

What is the good of fighting for saving the environment if nobody can enjoy it without fear of being molested or shot at?

E. Azzopardi

Apr 20th 2010, 16:48

"NO COMMENT"

Joseph Vassallo

Apr 20th 2010, 16:47

at 00:46, wasn't that a public road? So who is saying this happened on private land?

Jurgen Bugeja

Apr 20th 2010, 16:45

Everyone is accusing hunters,you have to be instead of them and you see how you react. When someone especially a foreigner come in your private land with a camera taking you photos or a video and laughing how you will react!!!??

The Imtahleb case,they parked in the middle of the road and they didn't let anyone pass,how you would react?

CABS and Birdlife don't forget you cannot enter private lands if not don't cry after like you're doing.

Dr Francis Saliba

Apr 20th 2010, 16:42

Are these the kind of people who expect Malta's taxpayers to pay any huge fines imposed on us for allowing them to slaughter birds and, when challenged, proceed to violence culminating in threats to kill human beings? They are not psychologically fit to be in possession of any gun!

c.muscat

Apr 20th 2010, 16:41

why all the comments involve the word hunters? from the video one only know, that landowners are on the defensive from the entry in private property. could be they are not hunters but fed up citizens.

lmercieca

Apr 20th 2010, 16:38

This only part of the video that is shown here, the whole video on BLMs website tells even more of the whole story. People with guns all over during the open season... where is the strict measures for a derogation????

Or is this video also fabricated??? Guess birdlife is buying petards and lets them off at 6am to simulate gunshots! Are the authorities so deaf that they dont hear the shooting every single morning????

Anthony Formosa

Apr 20th 2010, 16:34

Those who want to ban hunting because of this provocative incident, then we must also castrate each man.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100420/local/91-rape-reports-since-2005

And what about this? also accused of violence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXBkrV5Q7d0

BTW why these birdwatchers do not carry a binoculars?

Mario Cauchi

Apr 20th 2010, 16:31

Eco-tourism and peaceful walks in the countryside have nothing to do with foreigners coming to Malta and taking the role of spies under the auspices of Birdlife. I am inclined to say that this propaganda by Birdlife is very irresponsible. If as stated, the matter has been referred to the police, then let the investigation take its course and if those responsible are found to have breached the law, then let them be processed and have a fair trial – without any pre-trial publicity – and if found guilty, may they get what they deserve. That said however, I am inclined to say that for someone to put all hunters in the same category would be a very big mistake. For instance, the use of cell phones while driving is against the law, but only God knows how many people – pro and against hunting - make calls or even send texts while driving with danger to other drivers or/and pedestrians. By the same token, we might as well ban the driving of vehicles and go back to horse and carriage.

r sammut

Apr 20th 2010, 16:30

Curious of what certain antis would do when finding extremists wanting to enter their own back yard and at all costs, to film? By comments perhaps some are even inclined to invite he/she/them for tea after finishing their thing… anything but ward them off!

What is shown on Birdlife videos are many tail end reactions! Any initial causes of provocation for aggressions against ‘peaceful extremist’ are conveniently cut out of sequences!

This is far from condoning aggressive behaviour, but things needs to be seen in their full perspective.

N.Azzopardi

Apr 20th 2010, 16:28

@Stephen Grech
Surely you don't know how a digital video camera works. You should stop making a fool of yourself.

R Attard

Apr 20th 2010, 16:26

@ Marisa Galea...
naqbel 100%. Hafna kaccaturi approfittaw mis-sitwazzjoni li l-attenzjoni tal pulizija kienet fuq l-wasla tal-Papa hawn Malta...u spiccajna f'sitwazzjoni li tibza tmur fil kampanja ghax jolqtuk b'xi tir.

Michelle Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 16:19

Ghalkemm nistghu nifmhu ftit lil-kaccaturi li imsieken m'ghadx baqa lok ghal-passatemp taghhom hemm bzonn li nimmaturaw ftit. Hemm bzonn li nitghallmu inkunu poplu flessibli f'kollox u ma nitghux inhallu il-ligijiet jikkontrollaw il-hajja taghna b'dan il-mod stupidu. Jiena naf bosta kaccaturi u nassaba li wara li gara dan kollu sabu l-wens f'passatemp iehor simili li mhux illegali. Forsi ma kienx hemm daqshekk cans jaddataw ruhom kollha mil-ewwel, specjalmet dawk l-anzjani li ma jafhux mod iehor. Ghalhekk is-sorvejanza ghanha tkun tajba u li theggeg il-ligi pero dejjem u dejjem zommu f'mohhkom li lil dawn tnehhielhom l-uniku gost li kellhom f'din il-hajja mghaggla li qed nghijxu u ghalhekk forsi il-penaltajit m'ghandomx ikunu li jkomplu jitfghu lil dawn il-kaccaturi f'dipressjoni aktar gravi. Madan kollu tajjeb li nfakkru lil Kaccaturi li kieku baqghu sejrin kif kienu it-tfal tat-tfal tieghi ma kienux ser ikunu kapaci jaraw gamiema; ahseb u ara jaqbdu wahda.

Phaedra Debattista

Apr 20th 2010, 16:18

Hunters involved.....You should be ashamed of yourselves!!!! When will the governement do something about them???????? Utterly disgusting!

Chris Finch

Apr 20th 2010, 16:17

I thought all law abiding hunters were staying at home, at least that's what they were saying on previous posts, so why are there apologists for this neanderthal behaviour commenting below.
If hunters aren't out hunting, then what is the problem with people filming in the countryside? Those not condemning the actions of these thugs are supporting them.

In the game of rugby, if someone complains about the referee's decision, the penalty is moved forwards, therefore punishing the whole team, this way, in order to not let his teammates down, the offending player behaves in a civilised manner. The government should do the same with the hunters, if they cannot behave in a civilised manner, take away the autumn season too. And every season until they can abide by the laws.
And all those that are saying that these reactions are normal human behaviour, then you must have been brought up in a very uncivilised environment.
Nowhere is it acceptable to use violence when you can't get what you want.
A disturbing picture of the underbelly of Society indeed.

A Zammit

Apr 20th 2010, 16:16

I think better the authorities try to recapature the horn by it's bulls because this is going to deteriorate especially with the birdlife bravos going around pestering people in their own property. Like the italians say qui prima o poi ci scappa il morto.
Bye Bye and Long live Maltese Traditions, Malese Sovereignity and Maltese Honesty (which I think has been put down the drain by Dr Gonzi and his predeccesor.)

C,Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 16:14

@ All who mentioned Private land etc etc...... have you seen the whole clip? 0.46min shows a public road!! Are we going to keep drowning our country in misery? Isn't the goverment doing enough? Maybe we can give some useful work to the Army guys and send them bird watching! Gun VS Gun with these stupid thugs!

C Mallia

Apr 20th 2010, 16:10

@Andrew Gatt
From your comments, it seems like the hunters have some God given right to own the whole Maltese countryside. This is reality and not "propoganda" as you choose to describe it. I am sure you already saw a fuller version of the video at http://www.birdlifemalta.org

If armed thugs like these are within the folds of FKNK then they should be named, shamed, condemned, kicked out and never in their life own a fire arm. Not cover up for them as you seem to want to do because of a "bad situation".

Joseph Caruana

Apr 20th 2010, 16:08

Il-ftit hniena li jkollok ghall kaccaturi tintilef meta tara affarijiet bhal dawn! Nispera li jkun hemm gustizzja ma min gie aggredit.

M.Gauci

Apr 20th 2010, 16:03

DO NOT FINE THEM!!!! LOCK THEM ALL UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!!!

Mark Galea

Apr 20th 2010, 16:00

@Stephen Grech
Well, if you say that Birdlife are paying people to shoot at cars, then I must believe you ... I also must think that it is Birdlife that is paying those persons that are shooting everymorning at dawn ... and it is definitely Birdlife that paid those people (dressed up as hunters) that attacked them. Yes, you are definitely right.

Robert Callus

Apr 20th 2010, 16:00

It is completely unacceptable in a democratic society for people to take the law in their own hands, no matter whether they are right or not. This is not just an attack on Birdlife but on our basic freedoms.

I condemn collective punishment on hunters like some suggest. It's unfair. However this is an extremely serious and I hope the perpetrators will get the right punishment. Together with those who instigated the violence verbally as well as those trying to justify it.

There is absolutely nothing JUSTIFIABLE in this

Matt Bonanno

Apr 20th 2010, 15:59

@ all the people saying this doesn't prove anything and that it's somehow strange and suspicious, are you blind and deaf? The rear window of the car has very clearly been hit by a shotgun, and in the last clip a struggle is obviously taking place. I'm from Imgarr and some hunters think they own the whole countryside.

And you people probably call Moviment Graffitti conspiracy theorists.

Karl Vassallo

Apr 20th 2010, 15:58

So yesterday we had the ultimatum at castille (bully style kif jafu huma) and now we have this.

Well done hunters - you are so pathetic.

Mark Galea

Apr 20th 2010, 15:54

In view of the attack, FKNK is going to do a protest - all hunters will strike and not go hunting during the hunting season.

Mark Galea

Apr 20th 2010, 15:52

@Lewis Balzan, @Muscat P
You seem to imply that once Joseph Muscat is in government, we will have hunting back. Else, why should a hunter vote LP?
My friends, are you trying to ride the political wave?

Farrugia A

Apr 20th 2010, 15:52

People who have no qualms about shooting birds will have no qualms showing aggressive behaviour towards common people. Beware of this when you decide to take your families to a healthy walk in the countryside. Countryside is off limits - the hunters have taken over and the ALE are simply victims of their own ill finance from the central government which does so purposely not to anger the hunters too much.

Maria D.Sacco

Apr 20th 2010, 15:51

A replica of the Drydocks saga, when the whole reputation of a once noble craft centre which produced men who shaped Malta's history was irrevocably damaged by violent elements within the workers' party, elements which were often manipulated when the situation suited certain politicians. And we all know how this story ended. Moral of the story: violence, like revenge, although at first tastes sweet, eventually bitterly on its perpetrator recoils.

Stephen Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 15:46

@ Michael Vella: You can also do a favour to yourself by trying not to believe everything that is shoved down your throat! No meteorite hit the car but is it possible that someone was paid to take a shot at the parked car so that these foreigners could blame hunters?! Until the truth comes out everything is possible. By your comment it seems that my rubbish irked you!

Andrew Gatt

Apr 20th 2010, 15:43

Birdlife do their fighting with propaganda, networking, EU funding, exaggeration, deceit, misinformation and as much gory footage as they can get hold of. Incidents like these give them more clips to put up on Youtube and it's thank you very much for the idiots who lose it.

At the moment, having Birdlife poking around the countryside shoving cameras and videorecorders in people's faces is nothing but waving a red rag in front of frustrated bulls. Acting like self-appointed bird vigilantes is simply inflaming an already tense situation and their anti-hunting campaigning is not going to win them any coffees and biscuits.

Why not watch birds, Birdlife, and leave the policing to the authorities.......miserable and pathetic as they are. The situation is bad enough.

Kenneth Cassar

Apr 20th 2010, 15:42

@ Stephen Grech:

Not miraculous at all. You are ignoring some things:

1. In all probability, it was the police who ordered them to return the camera.
2. What would previously be thought miraculous (retreiving of erased data), modern technology makes possible.
3. Violent thugs are usually not very intelligent.

John Borg (mlh)

Apr 20th 2010, 15:37

I am not in favour of hunting, nor against it (in a controlled and superrvised manner) but what I am totally against is that the livelyhood of thousands of people directly and many more indirectly is being severely threatened by thugs shown in this video clip. We are a small nation heavily dependant on the tourist industry, our crown jewels so to speak. Now what punishment would befit somebody who attempts to destroy our crown jewels? Strong and decisive action has to be taken against anyone threatening our main industry in any way. This has nothing to do with hunting or trapping. We cannot any longer be held ransom to a few violent bulloies who take the law into their own hands, be they hunters, bus drivers, taxi drivers or anyone for that matter. Only severe punishment will stop this from becoming headline news. We have enough problems mitigating againt our tiny nation without our own home brand form of self destruction!
Like I said, this has nothing to do with hunting anymore. This is simply a crude way of inflicting maximum damage to an already fragile industry.

C Mallia

Apr 20th 2010, 15:34

May I suggest to whoever condemned these acts to go one step further and join Birdlife (if you are not yet) to increase its membership. Now is the time to actively express your disapproval to such violence in our countryside and make a true difference.

http://www.birdlifemalta.org/join/join/local/

G.Bonnici

Apr 20th 2010, 15:34

First of all I condemn this violence, but that's what happens when you take one's a right and liberty, because that's how I feel. I rather feel living like a prisoner.

All these harsh reactions are all due to the provocation on hunters by Birdlies Malta & Co. If Birdlies Malta don't change its attitude towards hunters, I'm afraid that more reactions like these are going to occur.

barry hayes

Apr 20th 2010, 15:31

amazing why a man would want to shoot a beautiful birds flying in the sky is a concept that for many is hard to believe

Muscat P

Apr 20th 2010, 15:27

@C. Spiteri.
Heaven on earth was promised to the hunters by Fenech Adami and Gonzi way back in 2003. Although the protagonists on the video are the usual shameless cowboys and should be turned to Justice, it is still dishonest and dangerous to mislead citizens; that is why the hunters feel betrayed. This betrayal is Gonzi's problem; he cooked the cake and it is HE who should eat it!

Lewis Balzan

Apr 20th 2010, 15:22

@ C. Spiteri
Why bring Joseph Muscat into it, my friend? All this is only happening as a result of the PM's pre-Europe and pre-elections promises and we're now reaping what he sowed in those days. And unfortunately it looks like the worse is still to come. Poor Malta to be saddled with such an incompetent government.

Mathew Mallia

Apr 20th 2010, 15:19

Now dont get me wrong im not trying to make excuses but we've all to believe that everything is staged for a reason...which is wrong!!!! Now, if the guy was bird watching why was he walking around the trees?in line of view of the white van? (strange)but anyway, after a punch up and a roll in the grass why would the so called hunter/attacker take the video cam and delete the recording? not just take the usual hot headed approach and smash it to the ground? One has to admit that this is a bit strange cause to delete the recording the attacker would need time and patience, Menu, Scroll down or up,Find the caption and delete...all in a few seconds of having a good old scrap and hitting the owner of the cam corder!!!!

Anyway, i think it was funny,especially if they wer bird watching on private land.

Oh, im no hunter ok :-)

M.Mallia

Jeffrey Muscat

Apr 20th 2010, 15:19

another show of stupidity --- hope some sort of action is taken against these hunters

N Xuereb

Apr 20th 2010, 15:18

I condemn all sorts of violence and illegal activities, but with all due respect to the readers who wrote their comments hereunder against hunters in general, the film shows ILLEGAL activities. The 4 hunting federations are asking for an open season for the law abiding hunters. It is obvious and known that those who are breaking the law do not need an open season.

Michael Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 15:17

@ Jeremy J. Camilleri

Nice to be in 100% agreement with you :)

Matthew B

Apr 20th 2010, 15:13

Hahahahhahaha at the bad spellings! very wise ehh?

Scerri S

Apr 20th 2010, 15:12

This has now gone too far. After seeing this, I'm all for banning hunting completely if strict law enforcement can't be carried out. Never mind spring or autumn. These arrogant people are not just happy killing anything that flies, they also go on vandalising public property. To top it all they turn violent when they feel that someone is taking from them what they wrongly believe is theirs - the countryside and wildlife. Eco-tourism? Dream on. I hope justice is done and these barbarians get what they deserve.

Michael Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 15:12

@ Stephen Grech

Are you saying that this video is fake or somehow fabricated? Do yourself a favour and wake up to the real world. Did a meteorite hit that car that was riddled with bullets? You should condemn such incidents not come up with elaborate and stupid excuses like the rubbish you wrote below!

Ruby Jenner

Apr 20th 2010, 15:10

The other face of Malta. What happened to all the peace and love after the visit of the Pope at the weekend? Back to reality.

C.Spiteri

Apr 20th 2010, 15:04

And now they shall go to Dr Muscat and he shall promise them (their) heaven on earth!

Hunting should be abolished with all guns confiscated (and reimbursed) by government. Government should also clearly mark what is public property so people can enjoy their country walks.

We have had enough of the hunting lobby and their bullying tactics - this shall finally boomerang against the Maltese tourism imdustry - seeing the messages that were written down, it is clear that the IQ of these persons are down to the lowest possible levels.

John Spiteri

Apr 20th 2010, 15:01

I am sure that now the Hunters' Federation and their supporters, men and woman alike, will come out defending hunters and trappers and crying out that this was all a setup by Birdlife. The sh** has now hit the fan and we have the necessary proof what gun-wielding hunters can do. Violence is second nature to these people with the blood that they like to see coming out from bird carcasses. The Government is wrong to tryand appease God and Mammon. Hunting is a thing of the past and the sooner everyone realises it, the better. Disgusting behavour. Hunting shoulbe outlawed with immediate effect and all movements and associations, with them! It is no use claiming that there are legal hunters and hunting! All hunting is abusive. Abusive of the rights of the silent majority as well as for the right of birds to exist.

J. De Bono

Apr 20th 2010, 14:59

This not only damages Malta's reputation with tourists however proves why so many other nations do not take Malta seriously, how could you when you have such a large number of persons blatantly breaking the law and caught on camera doing it, and we all know no one will be brought to just maybe a slap on the wrist but how can the government do anything if they risk losing votes, truly disgusting. The worst part is its now not even Maltese (except a few) doing anything about it proving further we cannot even manage what happens on this little island. This is not about agreeing with hunting or not,(personally i think its primitive shooting something 1/100 of your size with no means of defense to stick on your mantle) this is about the law and what its costing Malta's reputation. An example needs to be set, its clear these hunters do not fear the law or government, last summer I saw two examples of this with hunters shooting into the air from road side, the foreigners I was with couldn't believing it and still repeat those stories every time Maltese law comes up in a topic.

N Spiteri

Apr 20th 2010, 14:59

I am totally against these hunters who attacked the birdlife volunteers, and these should be punished.

However, I can also understand the frustration of these people. These people were betrayed!! These people are watching other hunters within the EU, hunting in their respective countriesand people from the same countries are coming to Malta to monitor the maltese hunters. Frustrating no??

Darren J. Galea

Apr 20th 2010, 14:57

It's like something out of deliverance - who the hell do these people think they are? Why are they allowed to behave in this way unchecked? Amazing!

Richard

Apr 20th 2010, 14:53

Why face of attacker hidden?

Michael Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 14:50

These thugs must be arrested and charged. These hunters are a disgrace to Malta and the Maltese people. I am not referring to all hunters here, just these die hard idiots that think they have some God given right to shoot at anything they see. Maltese people are fed up with the attitude of hunters like these and i sincerely hope that are are severely punished for their actions! For how long do us Maltese need to be embarassed by such idiots???

C. Balzan

Apr 20th 2010, 14:47

Absolutely disgusting

Joseph M. Scicluna

Apr 20th 2010, 14:42

This violent attack may be the repercussion of the depression suffered by the poor hunters!!!!.

carmelo aquilina

Apr 20th 2010, 14:39

this is going to end up in tragedy soon if the hunters and their apologists do not condemn this attack and others and stop using xenophobic hate speech ...calm down or someone will get killed ! And stop excusing this as provocation - is it provocative to seek out poachers ? Whatever happened to zero tolerance to poaching from the FKNK or is name and shame only for people who try to obery the law ?

Mark Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 14:38

This hunters will never learn!!

Hunting should be banned once and for all! If need be the hunters should find alternative hobbies, and let us enjoy the countryside and the birds.

I'm afraid your time has come Mr. Hunter. Now accept the situation as it is!

James Dimech

Apr 20th 2010, 14:34

Nisthi nghid li jien Malti

Matthew Saliba

Apr 20th 2010, 14:32

No doubt that Birdlife activists are brave Heros who really care about our environment...
while the hunters.... well their spelling explains alot!!!

j.cutajar

Apr 20th 2010, 14:32

Did I hear ''noqtlok'' ?? oh yeah & I recognize that car in the background,(the one with the windscreen still in one piece).
So what's the united hunter's ulimatum ''halluna noqtlu l'ghasafar ghax noqtlukhom''??

J.Zammit

Apr 20th 2010, 14:31

Where is that video? We name and shame the hunters involved!

S SPITERI

Apr 20th 2010, 14:30

Nikkundanna bil- QAWWA kollha kul tip ta vjolenza , imma dawn is suppost bird lovers ma huma jaghmlu xejn hlief jipprovakow biex forsi fl ahhar taghddi taghhom u qed jirnexxilhom ghax hawn xi erba cwiec li jaqaw ghal provokazzjoni taghhom
il qawl malti jajd li min jilab man nar jinharaq , imma dawn tal birdlife mhux jilabu man nar qedin imma bil provokazzjoni taghhom qedin jamlu bhal qisu xi hadd jidhol go kamra tan nar u jaghmel bbq u ghalekk bhal meta fl loghba football jekk player jiprovoka lil iehor jitkeccew it tnejn mela allura kemm min ghamel l atti ta vjolenza u anka min qed jiprovoka it tnejn li huma ghanhom jiehdu li haqqhom mal gustizzja u mhux joqodu jilabuwa tal martri u qaddisin

Michael DeBono

Apr 20th 2010, 14:29

I can't understand how these locals/foreigners pretend to go on private land without permission with or without a camera without expecting any trouble. They are absolutely fishing for insults and fights. That's exactly what they want, so that they can do their best in damaging the hunters' / farmers' reputation. Locally and worldwide. Nobody would dare enter any house or other property without permission abroad...so why are they making this fuss? If they don't want to fight, they should stick to the rules, like normal citizens do. Hunting is not the issue in this case. It's just privacy and that's all. What happens in these cases is normal human attitude. Birdlife better stop this immediately, for your own sake. And how long will you try to spoil Malta's image? Malta is such a beautiful island. Why are you all the time sending this negative message to people abroad? Look around you, it's such a lovely place...change your views guys.

G. Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 14:29

I can't see how the authorities are enforcing their own law. Seems that if Birdlife was not policing, then nobody is. Hunters cannot be trusted. Plain to see.

D.Caruana

Apr 20th 2010, 14:26

Any violence is uneccaptable - Let us start with that. So yes, Strongly condemned.
But let us think a bit here;
1)Hunters are hurt, angry and under stress! why provoke them and trespass their land?
What does one expect? to be greeted with flowers?

A.Azzopardi

Apr 20th 2010, 14:26

@Paul Camilleri

promotion of eco-tourism and peaceful walks does not mean trespassing into private property and filming without authorisation. What would you do if somebody enter into your house without permission? Besides Mr Debono's excuse that ther were no indication of private property, does not hold water. Should everyone now, who has a piece of land bound to put a private property sign ? It would definitely be an eyesore. Violence is never justified but trepassing is provocation.

G Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 14:25

BL stop harrassing hunters and entering private land. In this video I saw nothing... not a single punch or a shove... Verbal abuse is a fact on the entire island. Try entering a private residence and the same will happen, so hunters are no different than other citizens. BL is just putting more and more salt into the wounds. Then they are amazed if they are not welcome into private land. As for the Germans please, just please stay at home and bother your own people. For those wondering, I am no hunter, no trapper just a citizen who is fed up of this BL crap.

Paul A Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 14:23

How about the Police acting professionally now that they have actual footage and arresting the persons involved in this assault....surely it cannot be that difficult to identify them?
Whether the Birdlife volunteers were on private land is not the crime here!!

R. Gauci

Apr 20th 2010, 14:21

Jigifieri jekk jien inkun ghaddej ghall-affari tieghi, forsi anke jkolli l-familja mieghi, u jahsbuni tal-Birdlife nista nispicca msawwat, karozza vandalizzati u min jaf forsi maqtul? Dawn huma affarijiet serji u l-Pulizija hemm bzonn tibda tressaq lin-nies u l-Qrati taqfilhom jekk misjuba hatja mhux dejjem jigru mas-saqajn wara multa mizera, hawn Malta qeghdin mhux l-Afganistan!

Adrian Cachia

Apr 20th 2010, 14:19

After seeing this I will not even risk to take a walk in the countryside.....no backpack and camera in hand... one shoudl wear camouflauge and carry a rifle to feel safe on a hike lately!

B Bartolo

Apr 20th 2010, 14:16

I call on the authorities to STOP the hunting season with immediate effect! These "people" can't sit around a table and discuss for their own benefit (afterall). Instead, they do acts such as these seen in the videos above.

STOP THE HUNTING SEASONS FOREVER!!

araw jekk imorrux jirregistraw ukoll halli jkunu jistghu imorru ghall-kacca...halluna tridux! Jekk tridu hobby, sibu hobby suret in-nies!

V Gera

Apr 20th 2010, 14:15

Shocking and scary. Birdlife Malta need to be given protection by the police.

Chris Grech

Apr 20th 2010, 14:14

""peaceful walks in the countryside"" is one thing...
provokal walks in people's (hunters) land and fields is another thing!!

and i'm not a hunter :)

Mark A. Bezzina

Apr 20th 2010, 14:13

@PAUL CAMILLERI

There are 2 sides to every story and we are only seeing one. Today I saw a person with a stop illegal spring hunting in Valletta. What if a hunter come across a person wearing this shirt in his own land? I'm sure it wouldnt go down well.

I'm of the opinion that an illegal hunter will remain an illegal hunter and he does not need an open season to hunt illegally. What Malta needs is for the Police to monitor the situation better so that hunters who follow the law won't suffer the consequences at the hands of the illegal hunters.

Jason Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 14:11

I think it is the government who should issue an ultimatum to this dangerous rabble and not the other way round. These people are armed and dangerous. When is drastic action going to be taken?

Timmy Farrugia

Apr 20th 2010, 14:10

i am sure most hunters are honest people, but i believe many know who this violent minority is. report them. you should not associate yourselves with these people.

Marisa Galea

Apr 20th 2010, 14:10

This is shameful!

PM, do smthing please. These past two days it looked like an open season!

M.Brincat

Apr 20th 2010, 14:10

NAME and SHAME hunters like these!!

John Gatt

Apr 20th 2010, 14:09

Tal Misthija... What a Shame... Maltese hunters or Maltese Jungle? One of the senses is missing....

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 20th 2010, 14:04

Sahme on the hunting lobby.

No matter what the other hunters will say the fact remains that such behaviour reflects negatively on ALL of the hunting community.

Rather than name and shame hunters who had applied for licenses, the hunter's federations would have done well to name and shame all the perpetrators who have committed multitudes of illegalities in the past.

Anthony Formosa

Apr 20th 2010, 14:04

Proset Dr Gonzi ara f'hix gibtna, skjavi tal-barranin, qabel ma tibdew tinsulentaw lil kullhadd araw dan il-clip go l-Ingilterra u araw kif dawn it-tip ta nies juzaw l-istess tattika dik tal-konfrontazzjoni.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YccRUc2SDBs

U din hi d-dikjarazzjoni ta Eddie Fenech Adami

http://kaccaturi.com/eddie.html

Matthew Borg

Apr 20th 2010, 13:59

If the FKNK don't condemn especially the last piece of footage, then they'll show that they are in favour of thuggery and criminality on this island.

Shameful, to say the least.

Having said that, spellings of the words 'Fak', 'Yor' and 'Bicis' were absolutely hilarious. Shows how uneducated these idiots are.

S Vella

Apr 20th 2010, 13:55

Mr Mangion
"They wanted a spring hunting season and they got it.To do so, the government has risked facing fines. But the hunting lobby is never satisfied. Instead of investing in law enforcement, this government is spending time trying to appease an aggressive hunting lobby, Mr Mangion said.
http://kaccaturi.com/eddie.html

K. Zammit

Apr 20th 2010, 13:50

Shame on these hunters. Bring them to justice as soon as possible !

m. delicata

Apr 20th 2010, 13:49

Horrifying.

stephen grech

Apr 20th 2010, 13:48

WOW incredible and miracolous deeds indeed!!! The alleged attackers took their camera and after deleting the video, instead of destroying the camera in the first place, returned it to the police station in Rabat. So by special software Birdlife managed to retrieve the data and identify the aggressors. This really sounds funny! Was the film director Stephen Spielberg because I would like an autograph with the copy of this short film! If it was for real the aggressors would not return the camera and by doing so identify themselves by the police who took the camera from them.

i.cilia

Apr 20th 2010, 13:46

I think we have just got our new ewros F%$6s vid...

such attacks on people will surely not help the hunting cause..

surely FKNK if it wants to be credible should first ensure that such things do not happen... rather than naming and shaming those who applied for a license..

Paul Camilleri

Apr 20th 2010, 13:46

Even though there could have been some sympathy to the hunter's cause, things like these will affect the whole hunters community. Some fools ay not realise but this also affects Malta's image in the eyes of tourists. There is supposed to be promotion of eco-tourism and peaceful walks in the countryside, however this clearly goes against such a nice vision.